24 days to go! The Great Brussels Bake Off so far…

by Antony So, EU Policy Executive & BNG

The British Chamber bustled with eager bakers last week, as we launched the second edition of our Great Brussels Charity Bake Off. Some were seasoned bakers and others were new faces, all ready to put their skills to the test.

Representatives of over thirty of the participating teams came to the British Chamber to scope their competitors, and discover what sort of baked goods they are expected to produce. As everyone recalls, last year’s most exciting entries to the Bake Off included a thyme-lime timeline (see what the crafty bakers did there?) of the co-decision process, and a cake replica of Brussels’ Grand Place. Inspired by this creativity, we decided that alongside cakes and pies, the other two baking categories would be European Goodies and Belgian-inspired treats.

Like last year, the Great Brussels Charity Bake Off is raising funds for YouthStart, a local charity under the patronage of Queen Mathilde of Belgium which runs training programmes and promotes entrepreneurship amongst young unemployed people in the Brussels region. As Amélie Coulet, the chair of the British Chamber’s Brussels New Generation pointed out, the Bake Off is a chance for young international professionals to show we are part of the Brussels community and to give something back to our adopted hometown.

With only 24 days to go until the Bake Off judging event itself, the teams will be discussing their concepts and cooking up a storm in preparation for the show down.

The final results will be revealed –and tasted!- on October 27 at Le Châtelain Hotel in Brussels, where we will be joined by award-winning chefs who will judge the bakes on their taste, originality and design. Our esteemed judges joining us for the Bake Off this year are:

Michael Lewis Anderson of Wittamer

Thomas Locus of Restaurant Margaux

Felix Alen of Restaurant Hof te Rhode

Serge Alexandre, the Ambassador of Belgian Chocolate

Nicolas Gadomski of Hotel Chatelain

Marc Ducobu of Patisserie Ducobu

The competition will be fierce but friendly and is open to guests to attend. For those with a sweet tooth or weakness for freshly baked goods, please feel free to register and become a taster for 5€. For such a great cause and for such delicious food, how can you resist? To become a taster, register here.

The Chamber team wishes all the baking teams the best of luck and we look forward to seeing you all on October 27 at Châtelain Hotel.

Follow the progress of our teams by following the hashtag: #BXLBakeOff!